Category Archives: Andy Wood

A CONSERVANCY CONVERSATION

A CONSERVANCY CONVERSATION

By: Andy Wood, Conservation Ecologist

A young Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) surveys a rainpool inside a Northeast New Hanover Conservancy property in the gated Landfall community. This sharp-eyed bird of prey eats mice, frogs, lizards, snakes, and other small animals. Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephala) were on the hawk’s menu this day.

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“Nature matters to people. Big trees and small trees, glistening water, chirping birds, budding bushes, colorful flowers – these are important ingredients in a good life.”

These words, penned in 1983 by psychologist Rachel Kaplan, underscore a human truth: Nature in its wildness is good for us. This truth extends beyond the physical ecosystem services provided by plants and animals interacting in their habitats; the natural services that clean the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that grows our food. Yes, it is living organisms (Earth’s biota) that provide the life-support services our own species requires.

If text space allowed, I could launch into a tangent about how the actions of beavers, across North America, came to create some of the best soils a farmer could want. I can also explain, using mathematics and scientific facts, how mosquitoes fit in the great pyramid of life that ultimately sustains human beings; the living, breathing species poised on the pyramid’s tippy-top. These are the easy things for me to explain, ecologically-speaking, in part because they are tangible and physically-measurable benefits from nature.

The more difficult benefits of nature to describe are those not measured in acres of soil created, gallons of water filtered, or pounds of fruit produced. I speak here of what my college professors called “intangible” benefits; what Dr. Kaplan later called “…important ingredients in a good life.”

With thanks due to recent studies conducted by mental health professionals, we now have a better understanding about “intangible benefits” we derive from nature; the positive mental and physical benefits that come from connecting with nature outdoors including solace garnered by way of a quiet walk along a simple path meandering through a natural garden.

Of course in rapidly-urbanizing New Hanover County, NC, we are running short of unfettered natural places for plants and wildlife to dwell and for people to gently explore. Northeast New Hanover Conservancy (NENHC), this region’s longest-operating local land trust, was founded by a concerned group of citizens in 1981 with the simple goal of protecting natural habitats, large or small, and the beneficial ecosystem services they provide. And I can say with confidence that NENHC is protecting some very significant habitats.

At this time NENHC is caretaker for 1,350 acres, including more than 530 acres spread across 30 distinct parcels in and around the gated Landfall community. Our other notable acreages include an 88-acre parcel of coastal saltmarsh behind the north end of Wrightsville Beach, adjacent to Mason Inlet, and another 800 acres of saltmarsh habitat behind the north end of Figure Eight Island, adjacent to Rich Inlet.

For perspective, NENHC monitors and protects more natural habitat inside Landfall, than all the natural habitat areas owned and managed by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County—combined! When our New Hanover County properties outside of Landfall are added-in, NENHC’s total protected acreage (1,350) is greater than New Hanover County acreage under NC State Park control (1,049).

Admittedly, the bulk of NENHC’s wooded land holdings rest inside Landfall and are only accessible by Landfall residents and guests. With all due respect, ecologically-speaking, whether or not a conservation property is accessible to the public is less important than the meaningful ecosystem services the property provides to everyone; much like other public trust natural resources.

As a not-for-profit land trust holding significant lands unopen to public access, NENHC is excluded from state and federal grants, and most private foundations that could otherwise help support NENHC’s property monitoring, planning, and management efforts. We instead rely on the generosity of individuals, especially people who do have access to our conservation areas, and others who care about habitat protection in general.

To the point about NENHC property access, we are working closely with Landfall managers and residents to develop and implement a trail management plan that will allow fun and safe admittance into some of our ecoregion’s most compelling natural places. While maybe not as glamorous as salamanders, songbirds, or colorful mushrooms, we are improving existing walking trails as an objective to build greater awareness and appreciation of the natural spaces NENHC protects to the benefit of people, plants, and wildlife.

On behalf of nature right outside, I hope you’ll consider making a tax-deductible donation to Northeast New Hanover Conservancy. Your gift will ensure the habitats we protect will continue providing tangible ecosystem services supporting “Big trees and small trees, glistening water, chirping birds, budding bushes, colorful flowers – [the] important ingredients in a good life.”

ANDY WOOD

Community Conservation Consultant

CONSERVANCY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

The Northeast New Hanover Conservancy stewards some of the best remaining examples of southeastern North Carolina’s ecosystems. And the great wonder of it all is the fact that these places are located right outside people’s doors.

 

NENHC is currently protecting more than 2,000 acres of compelling natural habitats in the northeast part of New Hanover County. Monitoring and management of these places is provided by Habitats Environmental Services, LLC (Habitats), under the guidance of Habitats’ ecologist and conservation educator Andy Wood. Habitats performs environmental assessments on our properties, prepares baseline documentation reports, responds to issues related to Conservancy property conditions, recommends habitat management strategies, conducts habitat monitoring, and implements habitat restoration and enhancement projects for the benefit of the Conservancy’s properties, and in turn, that of their neighbors.

 

The Northeast New Hanover Conservancy properties are protected places, and some of the best-kept secrets in our community. But as “best-kept secrets” these places can be overlooked and taken for granted. While the properties may be protected from development they are vulnerable to neglect that can lead to diminished aesthetic and ecologic value. Maintaining Conservancy properties is a year-round endeavor to protect habitat integrity, safety, and appearance.

 

Conservancy property maintenance ranges from clearing vegetative debris from trails to removing invasive exotic-invasive plants. We also implement conservation landscaping practices to enhance ecosystem services and increase habitat appeal and a welcoming sense of place within the “urban-wildland” interface where residential and conservation properties meet.

 

Northeast New Hanover Conservancy properties are compelling natural heritage assets that provide ecosystem services to everyone’s benefit. These places are urban oases where people can connect with nature outdoors. They also offer opportunities for volunteer science projects including nest box installations to help cavity-nesting songbirds, owls, and flying squirrels. Additional projects involving pond turtles, painted buntings, and other species and their habitats are ready to implement, along with conservation education programs for groups and individuals.

Land Management and Aquisitions

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The Conservancy is negotiating a land acquisition to protect a 39-acre tract of undeveloped property inside the Landfall community. The parcel raises the Conservancy’s total protected habitat area inside Landfall to more than 400 acres.

We have retained the services of Andy Wood, through his company,  ANDY WOOD & ASSOCIATES, LLC, to provide environmental assessments on our current properties, recommend habitat management strategies, and conduct a variety of other tasks as deemed necessary for the benefit of the Conservancy and the properties it oversees.  Property assessments are very detailed and follow a plan that meets accreditation guidelines.  Andy and his team have found and documented some wonderful plants and animals on our properties and easements.  His work will continue until all of our parcels are documented.  These reports will serve as a baseline for future comparisons to monitor deterioration or any possible contamination.

At least twelve species of amphibians (salamanders and frogs) were observed in and around ponds located within Conservancy properties. The Amphibians, valuable indicators of environmental quality, include two-toed Amphiuma (a large eel-like aquatic salamander in Landfall Lake) broken-striped newt, slimy salamander, and two-lined salamander. Observed frogs include southern toad, southern cricket frog, spring peeper, pine woods tree frog, gray tree frog, squirrel tree frog, green tree frog, bullfrog, green frog, southern leopard frog, and narrowmouth frog. More work is needed to confirm additional expected species.

To date, more than 120 species of birds are known to use Conservancy properties during all or part of their life cycle. This number will likely grow as more data is collected, and birders are invited to provide us with their avian and other observations.

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Red bay trees, Persea borbonia, the namesake of egg-shaped landscape depressions known as Carolina bays, are dying throughout the southern US, including within Conservancy properties. The die-off is due to a fungal infection transmitted to the tree by a tiny Asian beetle introduced to North America by way of shipping pallets. There is no cure or treatment and at this time we can only monitor the tree decline and hope some specimens are able to resist the blight.

These habitat surveys of the Conservancy’s conservation easement properties have been very productive. The studies are being conducted to collect baseline information about the habitats themselves, including their overall condition and ecosystem services they provide to southeastern North Carolina. They are an ecoregion that contains a rich assortment of habitats supporting a diverse array of plants and wildlife, which in turn enrich the lives of people who inhabit and visit this special place.

The Northeast New Hanover Conservancy stewards 1,500 acres of diverse habitats, including some of the best remaining examples of southeastern North Carolina’s ecosystems. And the great wonder of it all is the fact that these acres are located in and around the residential areas where we live. It may be safe to say that these protected places are some of the best-kept secrets in our community.

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But as “best-kept secrets” these places are easy to overlook and take for granted. While the properties may be protected from development, they are vulnerable to neglect that can lead to diminished value. Wild places, especially small parcel habitats within residential neighborhoods can languish if not properly managed in keeping with their natural form. An example of this is best seen in the 39 acre tract being negotiated for trade. While I can extoll the property’s many natural virtues, I must couch my words with understanding that the property needs some tending; clearing vegetative storm debris from trails and removing invasive exotic trees (notably Chinese tallow) as examples.

 

Managing this and other Conservancy properties is not all work and no play however. These places can be augmented with interpretive signage that introduces visitors to the habitats they stroll through. And most sites offer opportunity for volunteer science projects including nest box installations to help cavity-nesting songbirds, owls, and flying squirrels. Additional projects involving pond turtles, painted buntings, and other species and their habitats are ready to implement, along with conservation education programs for groups and individuals; just as soon as we have the financial resources to make them possible.

While this may sound like a shameless pitch for money, it is intended as a transparent request to support the Northeast New Hanover Conservancy’s efforts to steward its compelling natural areas; the greenspace oases that enrich our lives, right outside our doors.

Great Blue Heron wade-fishing in Landfall Lake

Financial donations to the Conservancy are tax-deductible because they fund work that contributes to the common well-being of our community; a community that includes people, plants, and wildlife; and the habitats that support us all.

Bedminster Lane Parcel Finds

On a recent visit to a Conservancy parcel on Bedminster Lane, Andy Wood found a southern dusky salamander with her eggs. Picture below, with cardinal flower growing in another area of the parcel.
Southern dusky salamanders appear to be declining in North Carolina, for yet unknown reasons beyond simple habitat alteration and loss. Brush-hogging to remove understory forest vegetation, as commonly seen around our region, is extremely harmful to this species because the practice drastically alters the forest floor ecosystem.
Finding an adult dusky is significant enough, but one with eggs is very cool. Dusky salamanders are semi-aquatic. Unlike many amphibians this species provides considerable parental care to its eggs. After mating, the fertilized female finds a log or other forest floor debris to crawl under and place her 10-25 eggs, which she stays with while they incubate (which can take up to 80 days), leaving them only at night to go forage for food and returning before morning.
The eggs are thin-shelled spheres that she helps keep moist by wrapping her body around them as the embryos develop inside. The hatchling salamanders push through their eggs shell as half-inch long versions of the adult, and quickly migrate to water, typically a small swampy stream. They are equipped with delicate external gills to breathe oxygen from water, while otherwise feeding in tiny aquatic invertebrates. The larvae complete their metamorphosis during winter and spring, and then take on a life as a terrestrial adult, with a lifespan of 5 to 10 years or more.
This female and her eggs were located about three feet from the swamp creek that meanders through the property, and no doubt that is where she got her start on life, considering this species has a home range of only a few square meters. All this to say, the Conservancy property is the buffer protecting the creek that is home to this and other dusky salamanders. I plan to revisit the site this week to check on the eggs’ and female.
We also found an adult box turtle, which is again significant considering that species’ range-wide decline. In addition, there are more than a few tulip poplar trees in one swampy area that each have a trunk diameter of more than 3.5 feet. We’ll collect tree ring data to age them. They aren’t terribly old but they are majestic.

Two-lined Salamander in Landfall Preserve

The Two-lined Salamander is a widespread species, but jeopardized by silty water and forest alteration. Landfall’s protected wooded wetlands are this animal’s oases, where they hide and forage among leaves and logs in and around streams and seepages. Tiny insects, mites, and worms are preferred prey. In turn, these amphibians are food for birds, small mammals (and bears), and some snakes. Though small in size, as predator and prey, salamanders move lots of energy through the ecosystem.
Two-lined salamander, Eurycea cirrigera
This is an adult male, about three and a half inches long. It was found 24 October 2016, in the Bedminster Conservation Area. The little nubbins under its nostrils are called cirri; their function is not fully understood, but likely play a role in courtship.

Land Donation

The Conservancy owned .151 acres around the Landfall administration and maintenance office.  The maintenance department is in need of more space so we negotiated a land trade.  This trade takes the small piece we own around the building and gives it to Landfall.  In trade, a 39.91 acre tract is given to us!

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This piece (blue highlight) connects with another NENHC easement area and this addition will create a compelling greenway for hiking and nature viewing.  The easement area is currently owned by Landfall and it includes a network of nature trails that are in need of some maintenance, mostly involving debris removal following last winter’s ice storms.

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The property contains a variety of distinct habitats including patches of mixed pine and hardwood forest blended with an intact patch of swamp dominated by water tupelo. In spite of abundant rain in 2014, the ponds and swamp area are not flooded at this time.  The site’s sinkhole-like pocket ponds are a rare feature in this region, and while most are dry during much of the year, they are likely important habitats for frogs, spotted turtles and songbirds.

Though most of the forest trees are in the 80-120 year age-range, many examples of older-growth trees provide evidence of this site’s past history as a rich and diverse wetland environment.

Conservation Education

Building awareness about the Conservancy’s easement areas is an objective to meet our goal of protecting the areas we steward. Last spring the Conservancy and Landfall jointly sponsored a guided trek around the Landfall Lake Conservation Area.

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More than two dozen Landfall residents and guests joined the tour, led by Andy Wood, with birding help from wildlife biologists Carson Wood and James Abbott. Steve Hughes, Landfall Operations Manager, also joined the hike and provided valuable background information about Landfall Lake, including its function-driven design to become a naturalized waterbody. Wading birds, several ducks, and numerous pond turtles provided fun highlights during the visit, which was intended to develop greater understanding about the lake’s habitats and the diverse plants and wildlife they support; while also providing stormwater filtration before discharging into the Intracoastal Waterway. More programs like this are being planned for 2015, including guided treks into other fascinating Conservancy properties.